When it comes to my career, labor and delivery is what excites me. Put simply, it’s really amazing to be present for such a monumental time in someone’s life. I fell in love with labor and delivery during my obstetrical rotation at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, I have completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia and worked for several years as an attending physician with the Intermountain Medical Group in Ogden, Utah. That translates into thousands of babies delivered and thousands of wonderful experiences helping and supporting mothers and families.

Why Join WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital?Having worked in Utah for several years, I wanted to get back to the East Coast where much of my extended family lives. And now that our own family is growing, my husband and I felt it was the right time to make a move. The position at WakeMed North Family Health & Women’s Hospital was a perfect fit; not only because of the location and that I was excited to be part of something new, but also because of the OB hospitalist model. Having an OB/GYN doctor working in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is advantageous for several reasons.

For the doctor, it means shift work and a more structured schedule. This helps tremendously in terms of quality of life, especially for me now that I have three young children.

For community physicians, it means more efficiency. Because we have an experienced OB/GYN in the hospital 24/7, community OB/GYNs don’t always have to rush to the hospital. Their in-office patients will therefore likely experience less waiting and more satisfaction during their visits.

Most importantly, for the laboring mother, it means enhanced safety and a better quality of care. A skilled and experienced OB/GYN is always in the hospital to handle any emergency or to assist a woman’s regular doctor during any type of procedure, for example a cesarean birth. We will always have a presence in the hospital to help and support…and our laboring mothers will never have to wait for that added level of experienced care.

Birth ExperienceWhen it comes to the birth experience, I believe it should be a team approach – doctor, patient, nurses and family members all working together. Collaboration and communication are absolutely necessary to provide a positive birth experience in the safest way possible. In the case of the hospitalist model, my goal is to maintain the physician-patient relationship and be a member of the delivery team. I believe that the hospitalist model is changing the face of obstetrics and the individual birth experience. It places a strong emphasis on patient safety, decreasing the cesarean section rate and the team approach.

My patients appreciate that I am fairly laid back, yet energetic – generally, I am a fun person to be around. My colleagues would say that I am patient and enthusiastic, but at the same time soft-spoken. I truly am a dedicated team player who always puts the needs of my patients first, and I never shy away from a challenge. In fact, I have much experience in caring for mothers who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies.

What Shapes Me as a DoctorBeing a mother and being a teacher have greatly influenced my work as a doctor. As a mother, I know that every birth experience is different, and things don’t always go as planned. Therefore, I believe I am more sensitive to my patients’ expectations as well as their needs if things should happen to change.

Additionally, I was very involved in teaching family-medicine residents at my hospital in Utah. Knowing how to teach and educate has positively impacted my ability to interact with my patients. I am always working to educate and inform my patients, and I think that they really appreciate this about me. Not only that, teaching has opened my eyes to new things and influenced me to stay even more connected to what is current within my profession. Because of teaching, I question things more and continue to work on honing my own skills.

Outside of Medicine Outside of work, you will most often find me spending time with my family – my husband, daughter and twin boys. I also love the outdoors, running, hiking and biking. I am thrilled to be in North Carolina where the weather is warmer and our extended family is only a car trip away!